CELINE

CELINE is a French ready-to-wear and leather luxury goods brand. Celine was founded by Céline Vipiana and her husband Richard in 1945 as a made-to-measure children’s shoe boutique that was located at 52 rue Malte. The shop was denoted by a highly distinct red elephant logo created by cartoonist Raymont Peynet. Finding success, the duo expanded and opened three more stores by 1948. More than a decade later, Vipiana used her success as a launch pad to branch out into ready-to-wear, with the goal to deliver fashion to the everyday woman. On a platform that advocated for practical clothing over frivolity, she launched a sportswear-driven line that revolved around wool skirt suits, fitted shirts, leather vests, and pastel-colored denim.

In 1963, she unveiled a women’s shoe line and a year later introduced Vent Fou, the brand’s first fragrance that featured notes of galbanum, jasmine, and rose. Vipiana added leather accessories in 1966, including bags, belts, and gloves. In her mission to deliver pieces of the highest caliber, she sought out a leather goods factory in Florence.

In 1987, Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of luxury conglomerate LVMH, saw the brand’s potential, bought its capital, and inherited all 89 of its stores. Nine years later, Celine officially became a part of the LVMH group and began ramping up the development of its ready-to-wear and accessory collections.

Started for children’s footwear, Céline is now known for its simplicity that involves heritage, elegance and a hint of androgyny.